Traverse City Record-Eagle

Betty Werth

Related Photos

January 4, 2009

Betty Werth: Looking back at big, bad 2008

By BETTY WERTH

The wonderful thing about a new year is the opportunity to "start fresh" with a new slate of possibilities, potential and purpose. You can cut loose your mistakes, saying "goodbye" to the things at which you didn't succeed in 2008, and plunge ahead in a new direction, saying "hello" to a whole raft of excellent adventures in 2009!

This is a particularly good time to be a Wall Street banker, because you can say "goodbye" to bad investments and corrupt old friends like Bernie Madoff, who made off with billions, and "hello" to good investments (at least you hope they're good!) that you can make with money from your new, rich, incorruptible friends in the U.S. Congress! Anyway, this is a great time to start over with a new bankroll, especially if the bills are unmarked.

But if you are not a Wall Street banker -- and too few of us are -- this is a particularly good time to find cover, stem the bleeding, apply bandages, and ask yourself that all-important question: "What have we learned?"

Indeed, what have we learned from 2008's interesting times? I am sure it varies with the individual, but as Americans there are certain inescapable developments that have brought our present and immediate future into clearer focus. (Kind of like looking at a bug under a microscope.) Some of you smart guys and gals already knew this stuff, but judging from our current predicament, it is clear too few did. Here's what I think we know now:

1. You don't have to be smart to be in Congress.

2. All of that time spent watching what was happening to Britney Spears was wasted.

3. People who had fast cars and big houses used to be called "rich;" now they are called "motivated sellers."

4. It's OK to plan for retirement, just as it's OK to plan what you'd do if you won the lottery.

5. It's a good time to learn to grow your own vegetables.

6. It is possible for the American economy to be spiraling downward at the same time oil company profits are spiraling upward, even though the oil companies are a foundation of the American economy. It is also possible for American automakers to have forgotten they built their empires on vehicles that were well-made, economical and affordable for just about everyone.

7. Since fall, the Detroit Lions have shown it is possible to win at losing.

8. Since November 2004, George W. Bush has shown it is possible to lose at winning.

9. You can't trust TV, or any one source, to tell you what's going on. Read newspapers, magazines, books, whatever you can, and at least attempt to make informed judgments. Stupidity isn't so much a conspiracy as a confederacy, and we're all in on it. For Pete's sake, read a book.

10. Don't follow anyone who doesn't have a conscience.

Oh, and this: Don't give up hope. Things could be so much better in 2009.

Text Only